Category: Azer News

The largest Battery Energy Storage Centres in the CIS are set to be commissioned in Azerbaijan’s Absheron and Agdash regions in the coming months.

Azernews reports, citing Azerenergy OJSC, that work on the creation of large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is progressing rapidly as part of Azerbaijan’s strategy to support the dynamic development of renewable energy sources. These facilities, which will be the largest in the CIS in terms of both capacity and power, are being constructed at the 500 kV ‘Absheron’ substation near Baku and the 220 kV ‘Agdash’ substation in the central region of the country.

The first batch of battery storage systems, with a total capacity of 250 megawatts and an energy capacity of 500 megawatt-hours, has already been delivered to Azerbaijan. The equipment was manufactured at the Great Power plant in China and transported via a complex maritime route before reaching Turkey’s Gemlik Port, from where it was delivered by land through Turkey and Georgia to Azerbaijan.

Each battery unit weighs 36 tons and was transported and installed under special supervision. To date, around 15 per cent of the systems have been delivered, with the remaining 85 per cent expected to arrive and be installed by April.

According to Azerenergy, the establishment of these Battery Storage Centres is of strategic importance for strengthening the stability of the national energy system. The systems will help maintain stable frequency, balance fluctuations in renewable energy generation, cover peak loads, smooth demand during periods of reduced solar output, and enable rapid restoration of the power system in the event of accidents. In the long term, the project is expected to enhance Azerbaijan’s energy independence and ensure reliable operation of the electricity network both independently and in parallel with neighbouring countries.

Airbus SE announced on Monday that Germany has decided to exercise its option for 20 additional H145M light combat helicopters under an agreement signed in 2023, bringing the total number of helicopters to 82, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

According to Airbus, out of the 82 helicopters, the German Army will receive 72, while the German Air Force’s (Luftwaffe) special forces will operate ten. The H145M is designed for a wide range of missions, including training, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and light attack. The first batch of helicopters was delivered to the German military in November 2024.

‘This further commitment by one of our home countries is a strong endorsement of the H145M’s exceptional performance and multi-role capabilities,’ said Stefan Thome, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. He added that the helicopters’ versatility, advanced avionics, and compact design make them particularly suited for rapid deployment and complex missions.

Industry analysts note that the additional order reflects Germany’s growing focus on modernizing its military fleet and enhancing its rapid-response capabilities amid evolving security challenges in Europe.

Representatives of Sino-Foreign Economic Cooperation (Beijing) Science and Trade and its partner company Wuyan Jiangsu Biotechnology, which act as the investor and operator of Azerbaijan’s trade houses in China, have paid a visit to Azerbaijan.

As reported by Azernews, the visit was organized jointly by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) and the office of Azerbaijan’s Trade Representative in China. As part of the visit, the delegation toured several regions of the country and familiarized themselves with the operations of local enterprises engaged in the production of food, wine, and cosmetic products within the agricultural and chemical industries.

During meetings with Azerbaijani companies, discussions were held on expanding opportunities for exporting locally produced goods to the Chinese market. The talks focused on strengthening trade ties and increasing the presence of Azerbaijani products in China.

An exhibition, “A Life Preserved on Canvas”, commemorating the artist Rasim Nazirov (1949-2023), has opened at the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the opening, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, People’s Artist and Professor Farhad Khalilov, reflected on Nazirov’s creative legacy, noting that the display of his paintings and graphic works marks the artist’s first solo exhibition.

Rasim Nazirov was a member of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union and had been an active participant in national and international exhibitions since 1979. Working in both painting and graphic art, he was particularly recognized for his still lifes, portraits, and landscapes.

His works have been exhibited in Georgia, Russia, Poland, Afghanistan, Turkiye, and other countries. In addition to his artistic practice, Nazirov authored scholarly publications addressing key issues in contemporary visual art.

The opening ceremony also included remarks by Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov; Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Gunay Afandiyeva; and Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, People’s Artist Natig Aliyev.

They spoke about Nazirov’s life and artistic journey, highlighting the distinctive qualities of his work and the high artistic merit of the exhibited pieces. The artist’s spouse, Sevil Badalova, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union for organizing the exhibition.

At the end of January, two twin pandas are scheduled to be returned to China from Tokyo Zoo, Japan, Azernews reports. This will mark the first time in 53 years that there will be no pandas in Japanese zoos.

The agency notes that the first pandas were sent to Japan from China in 1972 as a symbol of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, amid rising tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, the prospects for new pandas appearing in Japanese zoos remain uncertain.

It is important to remember that all giant pandas are considered the property of China: even those born abroad are only loaned to foreign zoos under strict lease agreements. This policy is part of the so-called ‘panda diplomacy,’ a unique tool Beijing has used for decades to strengthen its international influence. Some experts suggest that these adorable ambassadors are not only symbols of friendship but also subtle instruments of geopolitical strategy.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Azernews reports.

”Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister,

We were deeply shocked by the news of the numerous deaths and injuries resulting from the terrorist attack during the Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

We are profoundly outraged by this horrific act of terror targeting peaceful people and resolutely condemn all manifestations of terrorism.

On this tragic occasion, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deepest condolences to you, to the families and loved ones of those who perished, and to the entire people of Australia, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the letter reads.

The Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization (AZSTAND), operating under the State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the President of Azerbaijan, has approved the National Standardization Program for 2026-2028, Azernews reports, citing the Agency.

The program was developed in line with the Law on Standardization and the rules for the formation and amendment of the national standardization program approved by a Cabinet of Ministers decision dated May 27, 2024. Its preparation took into account opinions and proposals from more than 50 public and private sector institutions.

When drafting the program, AZSTAND considered reference standards to be adopted for ensuring compliance with key requirements of technical regulations, relevant legal and regulatory acts, work plans of technical committees on standardization, and regulatory documents of international and regional standardization organizations. The program also reflects the results of modern scientific and technological research and aligns with the country’s overall socio-economic development strategy.

The document envisages the development of new standards aimed at promoting the use of modern technologies and solutions across all sectors of the economy, while ensuring the production of safe, high-quality, and competitive goods and services. As part of the program’s implementation, the adoption of up to 3,000 state standards is planned over a three-year period.

The National Standardization Program covers a wide range of strategic areas, including services and tourism, environmental protection, occupational safety and health, metrology and testing, mechanical and hydraulic systems, energy and electrical engineering, information technology and telecommunications, transport and transport infrastructure, jewelry, packaging, textile and leather technology, food and agriculture, chemical technology, mining and minerals, oil and related technologies, metallurgy and machine building, wood and furniture technology, glass and ceramics, rubber and plastics, paper and cardboard, paints and coatings, construction materials, civil engineering, children’s products, and other key sectors.

The Traffic Management Department of Changsha, China, has equipped its road personnel with AI-powered smart glasses. These cutting-edge devices can provide information about a vehicle in just 1-2 seconds, Azernews reports.

The glasses feature a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with an advanced image stabilization algorithm. According to the developers, they achieve over 99% accuracy in license plate recognition and respond in less than one second. They display real-time information about vehicle registration, annual inspections, and violations through a pop-up interface. Additional capabilities include facial recognition, real-time translation in more than 10 languages, and automatic recording of traffic violations. Remarkably, the glasses can operate independently for up to eight hours on a single charge.

The department reports that the average time to check a vehicle has dropped from 30 seconds to just 1-2 seconds, boosting traffic efficiency by 80% and significantly reducing the likelihood of conflicts on the road. Some experts even suggest that these smart glasses could be the first step toward fully AI-assisted traffic policing, where human officers are guided in real time by intelligent devices.

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation continues.

Azernews reports that as part of the current phase of resettlement, 21 families comprising 79 people have been relocated to Horovlu village in the Jabrayil district.

Residents returning to their native lands expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also extended their appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, its heroic soldiers and officers who liberated the country’s territories, and honored the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this cause.

It should be noted that the families resettled in Horovlu village had previously lived in temporary accommodation across various regions of the country, primarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

The composition of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC) has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the following composition of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund OJSC must be approved:

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Members of the Supervisory Board:

Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan

Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan

Deputy Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan.